Willem Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Willem is a Dutch name derived from the Old High German 'Willahelm', meaning 'resolute protector'. It evolved through several historical forms before settling into its current usage. The name is associated with strength and leadership, and while it has biblical connections, it is primarily recognized in a secular context. Its popularity has remained strong in the Netherlands, complemented by notable figures who bear the name.
The name Willem is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Willem has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Willem' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 5260th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 6076th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 4109th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4022nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 2767th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 1550th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2151st out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Willem' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Willem"
Pronunciation
/ˈvɪləm/
Origin
Dutch
Etymology
Willem is derived from the Old High German name 'Willahelm', which is a combination of the elements 'willa', meaning 'will' or 'desire', and 'helm', meaning 'helmet' or 'protection'.
Meaning
resolute protector
Language Evolution
Willahelm, Wilhelm, William, Willem
Historical Usage
Willem gained popularity in the Netherlands during the Middle Ages and has remained a common name in Dutch culture ever since.
Variants & Derivatives
William, Wilhelm, Will, Willy
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Willem is viewed as a traditional yet modern name in Dutch-speaking regions, often associated with strength and leadership.
Famous People
Willem de Kooning, Willem Dafoe, Willem van Oranje
Explore More Willem Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Willem"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Willem"
"Willem" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5260th of 7545 | 26 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 6076th of 6773 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4109th of 7552 | 65 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 4022nd of 10718 | 106 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2767th of 16616 | 351 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1550th of 24088 | 1,437 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 2151st of 23106 | 793 |
Regional Popularity of "Willem" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
49.50% 2215th/4475 |
- |
39.20% 2476th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
32.15% 1473rd/4582 |
24.48% 1264th/5164 |
39.85% 2914th/7313 |
20.64% 1540th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
43.42% 1730th/3984 |
45.91% 2060th/4487 |
48.68% 3321st/6822 |
30.85% 1936th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Willem" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Willem"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Willem" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.